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The Future is Unpredictable. Here's Why That's a Good Thing.

Star Tours at Disneyland

“I like the dreams of the future better than the history of the past.”

— Thomas Jefferson

It's often said that those who don't study history are doomed to repeat it. For the most part, I've experienced that to be true. People who don't learn lessons from the events of the past are almost destined to stay stuck in that course. The past has so many stories and lessons. Even though history is subjective and told through the point of view of the storyteller, it is a treasure. That's why so many people love studying it.

The thing about the past is, it can't predict the future. It may signify probabilities of what might happen, some things more than others, but the past can't truly predict the future (just ask anyone who works with the stock market). If looking at the past was an accurate and precise way of predicting the future, then nothing new would ever happen. No one would ever be surprised. No one would ever push farther and further than ever before.

As powerful as studying the past is, it arguably pales in comparison to thinking of the future. The future holds possibilities. It ignites hope. It's where our present dreams may manifest before our eyes. The future can be anything to everyone.